Suzhou
(2002 est. pop. 763,000). Suzhou (sometimes referred to in older publications as Soochow) is one of the most beautiful cities in China, with many canals, spectacular architecture, arching bridges, and elegant classical gardens. These gardens are popular tourist destinations, along with Lake Taihu west of the city. Much of Suzhou is surrounded by the Outer Moat, and the Grand Canal (the world's longest man-made waterway) passes through the city. The city is located in southern Jiangsu Province and was founded in the fifth century BCE. Marco Polo, according to legends, called it the "Venice of the East."
Suzhou was the capital of the kingdom of Emperor Wu (140–86 BCE), although it was not named Suzhou until the Sui dynasty (581–618 CE). The city was destroyed in the fourteenth century and again during the Taiping Rebellion (1850–1864). In 1896, it became a treaty port and was opened to the West.
Silk has historically been the most famous of Suzhou's exports, and it is also noted today for its beautiful embroidery. It is located in the subtropical zone and has a mild climate and enough rain and sunshine for excellent yields in the surrounding rice paddies. The economy is diversified today with chemicals, paper, ceramics, metallurgy, cotton textiles, machine tools, and electronics.
Carole Schroeder
Further Reading
"Suzhou." (1996) ChinaPages. Retrieved 22 April 2002, from: http://www.chinapages.com/jiangsu/suzho u/suzhou_int.htm.
Young, Margaret Walsh, and Susan Stetler, eds. (1987) Cities of the World: Asia, the Pacific, and the Asiatic Middle East. Vol. 4. 3d ed. Detroit, MI: Gale Research Company.
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